Walking in the woods the other day I saw this berry, a Salmon Berry I think. I was tempted to pick and eat it, but didn’t. A woman who has recently died came to mind and decided to leave it there, in her memory. So here it is, for all to see. This could be a berry, an offering, for every mom. We all have one and whatever the relationship was/is like, the quality of nurturing for example, one can at the very least be grateful for being born into this world.

For Jack and family.

I’m kneeling.
Not thought of kneeling before
my laptop.
Have to. The table is low.
It’s a stool actually, not a table.
An ant. A very busy ant.
Runs up the screen, climbs up
the mountain of Jade Mountains
then off across the top of the screen.
Again.

Viewing in profile. Now down
the side of the screen. So active.
I start to wonder if it’s looking
for something. Or is it on a mission
of some kind. Perhaps it’s one of those
scout ants I’ve been told about.
WATCH OUT for the scout ant!
Beware! Be aware.

There will be a marching army
behind it. If it’s worth their while
to march this way. But I know better,
now,
not to give them any cause at all.
A whiff of something sweet, something
of anything. An invitation?
Will bring on an invasion.

Thinking about ants. Talking about ants. Using military words. Invasion. Marching. Mission. But who am I to know what they are up to. They are simply making a living. Best way they can. Arn’t we all.

….uh! There it is again making
a decent south to the task bar!
Across the rocky key pads and….
down my sleeve! Or
into the headphone jack?

Yes, kneeling before my laptop, as I still am, seems to help. With? With connecting ‘with’. Which is just about what my writing for Jade Mountains is all about.

I don’t like to think about it however
I think that ant is now down
at my foot. So perhaps it is time
to get up and take a walk in
those wonderful woods. Where I walk
with those four Bull Elk.
Not that I’ve caught sight of them.
Yet.
However. They are non the less there.
Just not in sight.
Like you.

….uh! There goes that ant again
heading for the rocks.
Over the mountains. Deft climber.
Now. Down behind the screen.
Again.
Where you all are!
Sitting.
Still.
Always still.